Rainforest stairs, big payoff.

This private full-day waterfall trek is a great pick if you want north Bali scenery plus real jungle walking, not just a quick viewpoint stop. I like how the route strings together iconic stops like Kintamani Volcano and Tegalalang Rice Terrace, then turns into a true hike-and-swim day with waterfalls such as Sekumpul and the Banyumala area.

I also love that you get private attention and help with photos along the way. You might be guided by names like Dodik, Asta, or Ravy—folks who tend to make the day feel relaxed, not rushed. One thing to plan for: the walking includes steep descents and slick stairs, so shoes matter and you should expect the day to be physically demanding.

Key things to know before you go

• All-inclusive value: pickup, private transport, English-speaking driver, and fees/taxes are included.
• Waterfall focus: twin falls first, then more falls and viewpoints in a full outing format.
• Stairs and steep steps: you’ll deal with slick, steep stair sections and steep trails.
• Bring a dry-bag plan: change of clothes and keeping valuables dry is not optional.
• Temples + lake views: Pura Ulun Danu Bratan sits by Lake Bratan and fits the day’s mood shift.
• Coffee plantation stop: budget a bit if you want souvenirs (including expensive civet coffee).

Why this north-Bali waterfall route feels like a full day

This isn’t a “park, photo, leave” outing. It’s built like a day in sections: viewpoint and culture, then jungle walking, then temple and a cool-down stop.

Starting from Ubud means you’ll spend time in the car. That sounds boring, until you realize what you’re buying with that ride. North Bali gives you big views from high places (like Kintamani) and then drops you into green, humid forest where the waterfalls actually feel close and personal. The day has a rhythm: go up for the views, go down for the falls.

The waterfall parts are the main event. You’ll be dealing with stairs and descents, sometimes steep enough that you’ll want to pause and breathe. The reward is water you can hear before you see it, plus that moment when you finally reach the plunge pool and realize the hike wasn’t just for show.

Price and value: what $50 buys you (and what it doesn’t)

At $50 per person, the real value is that it’s not just transport. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, private transportation, an English-speaking driver, and all fees and taxes. It also includes admission tickets at the stops listed for the waterfall areas.

What’s not included is lunch. So if you get hungry mid-day, you’ll need to handle food on your own at whatever stop you’re at when the timing hits.

Is $50 “cheap”? It’s very reasonable for Bali when you factor in: private door-to-door pickup, private car time, tickets, and a guide/driver who can handle the rural roads. If you tried to copy the day yourself with taxis and separate bookings, you’d spend time and end up paying in hassle even before you add entrance fees.

The other value lever is the private format. You can go at your pace on stairs. You can linger for one extra photo of the rice terrace or the falls. That flexibility matters when your legs start bargaining with you.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: the pretty start that sets expectations

Your day begins at Banyumala Twin Waterfalls. This part is less about extreme difficulty and more about earning your cool air. The path moves through forest greenery and you’ll pass lots of tropical plants, with banana trees along the way.

It’s a great opening stop because it primes your senses. You start to feel the humid shift as you descend. You get your first taste of what “walking into the jungle” feels like in Bali—shade, slippery steps, and that constant rustle of leaves overhead.

How to approach it: go slow on the descent. Even if this first waterfall looks manageable, it’s still a stair-and-trail start to the day. If you’re planning to swim later, use this stop to get your dry-bag system right. Test what stays dry. Practice how you’ll carry shoes or valuables without worrying.

The time on the ground is about one hour, including the walk and waterfall viewing. If you rush, you’ll miss the calming vibe here.

Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall: steep descent and stream crossing

Next is Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall. This leg is where you should pay closer attention to footing.

You’ll reach it after about a 30-minute hike that includes a steep descent, and some sections where the stairs are genuinely challenging. You’ll also cross a stream using stepping stones. That’s the part where a lot of people tighten their grip on their phone, because wet stone plus slippery sandals is a combo you don’t want.

My advice is simple: wear shoes you trust on wet surfaces. Sport shoes are a smart call here. And if you’re the type who tries to “save time” by skipping steps, don’t—this is exactly where you’ll lose momentum.

What you get for the effort is a waterfall experience that feels more tucked into the jungle than a basic roadside stop. This stop is also about building up confidence for later, bigger sections of walking. By the time you move onward, you’ll know what your legs can handle and how careful you need to be.

Sekumpul Waterfalls hike: where the swim payoff usually hits

Even though not every itinerary sheet shows every detail the same way, the tour concept is clearly built around the Sekumpul Waterfalls area—the part people talk about most for the hike-and-refresh experience.

Expect a hike that’s described as moderately challenging. The walk can involve multiple downhill phases, plus a climb back up that feels harder than the descent. The key detail: the area is more than one viewing level. You may start downhill to a first viewpoint, and then continue lower for a closer look (and swimming).

One practical tip: plan to do the whole thing, even if the first downhill section makes you doubt yourself. You’ll likely find that the walk down feels steep at first, but you don’t have to suffer all the way. A common setup is that there are options to get back up after you’ve seen/swum—some people use scooter lifts from near viewpoints (one example price shared was around 20,000 IDR per ride). Confirm the local setup on the day.

The big payoff is being close enough to the water to feel refreshed, not just observe from a distance. That’s where the whole day starts to feel worth the stairs.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan: temple time by Lake Bratan

After the waterfall walking, the day shifts gears at Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a temple complex on the shore of Lake Bratan near Bedugul. This stop matters because it gives you a change of pace.

From a practical point of view, it’s also your reminder that Bali isn’t only waterfalls. Temples are part of how people relate to the landscape, water, and mountains. And visually, Lake Bratan frames the temple area in a way that feels calmer than the steep jungle descent.

You usually get about 45 minutes at this stop. That’s enough time to wander the grounds, take a few photos, and take a seat if you find a spot that helps you cool down after hiking.

If you want the best experience here, don’t treat it as a quick checkbox. Take 10 minutes and just look across the lake. The contrast is what makes the day feel complete.

Coffee plantation stop: a budget check plus a sensory break

Near the end of the route, you’ll reach a coffee plantation stop. This is often where the day turns from “walking and water” into “slow down and taste something.”

If you plan to buy coffee, treat it like a souvenir decision, not a casual impulse. One cost example shared was Luwak coffee up to about 1,100,000 IDR per 250g. There are other coffee types and teas too, and they can be worth it even if you don’t go for the ultra-expensive stuff.

This stop also gives you a chance to reset your body after the stairs. Drink something warm or cool. Put your feet up. Then you’re ready for the drive back toward Ubud.

What to pack for stair-heavy waterfall days in Bali

This tour basically demands comfort and rain readiness. You’ll be on challenging stairs, and the experience can get wet.

Bring:

• Change of clothes (you will thank yourself later)
• A plastic bag (or dry bag) to keep valuables protected
• Waterproof or water-safe phone/camera plan (a waterproof camera case helps)
• Sport shoes with grip
• Sunscreen (you’re in daylight for parts of the day)
• Money for souvenirs (especially if you want coffee)

Extra practical move: pack your dry items so you can reach them fast. Don’t make your “dry change” a buried item at the bottom of your bag.

Also, if you’re sensitive to steep climbs, pace yourself. Take breaks before you feel wiped out. Going slow keeps you steady, which helps you stay safe on wet steps.

Guides and photo help: why the private part really matters

Private tours sound good on paper. The difference shows up when you’re on uneven steps and you don’t want to feel like you’re holding up a group.

From what’s been shared with names like Dodik, Asta, Ravy, Kadek, Newman, Ma-De, Gede, Arta, Kadek Tosa, and others connected to the Putu Bali Driver team, the best moments often come down to the human factor: patience, timing, and photo guidance.

A lot of the stops work best when the guide helps you frame the shot—like catching the rice terrace views in the right way or knowing where the best waterfall angles are. Some guides also help you understand what you’re looking at, which can turn a photo stop into a meaningful moment.

One caution: not every day will feel equally “guided.” In some cases, the driver can end up doing mostly driving and practical help rather than deep explanations. If you care about more storytelling, ask your driver to share context as you go.

Timing reality: why it can run longer than the estimate

The tour duration is listed as about 7 to 8 hours starting at 8:00 am. In real life, full-day waterfall days can run longer because there’s a lot to walk, and the waterfalls earn time.

One person shared a version that ran from 7AM to 7PM. That kind of spread usually happens when you linger for swims, photos, and temple time—and when roads take longer than expected.

So treat the schedule like a plan, not a strict countdown. If you’re booking this day, leave some buffer afterward. Your legs will need it.

Who this tour is best for (and who should think twice)

This works best if you:

• Want a true walking day with real waterfalls
• Like having a driver who handles the logistics from Ubud
• Don’t mind stairs and steep sections as long as you go slow
• Want a mix of nature and temple scenery

It’s marked suitable for ages 12 to 65. “Most travelers can participate,” but the tour explicitly includes walking on challenging stairs and steep descents.

If you have limited mobility, weak knees, or a strong dislike of slippery stairs, you’ll likely feel miserable. You might still enjoy the viewpoint parts, but the waterfall trek itself is the core of the experience.

Should you book this Banyuwana & Banyumala Waterfalls Tour from Ubud?

Yes—if you want the kind of Bali day where you earn the reward. The combination of twin waterfalls, a second waterfall with steep descent and stepping stones, a Sekumpul-style hike-and-swim payoff, and a final cultural stop at Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is exactly the mix that makes a private day worth it.

Book it if:

• you’re willing to wear grippy shoes and take stair time seriously
• you like being out in nature and not just viewing from a distance
• you want private pickup and a smoother route than DIY

Skip it if:

• you want mostly flat walking
• you hate stairs and wet steps
• you’re counting on lunch being included (it isn’t)

If you do book, I’d go in with the right mindset: move carefully, take breaks, and treat the dry change of clothes like it’s part of the itinerary. The day is physical. The views and water are the payoff.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00 am.

How long is the tour?

It’s listed as about 7 to 8 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included.

Does the price include entrance fees for the stops?

Admission tickets are included for the stops listed in the schedule.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Do I need to be prepared for stairs?

Yes. The experience involves walking on challenging stairs, including steep descent sections.

What should I bring?

Bring change of clothes, a plastic bag (or other way to keep valuables dry), waterproof camera protection if possible, sport shoes, sunscreen, and money for souvenirs.